Jon Krakauer takes us on an unforgettable journey to the final resting place of a young man on his quest for self-reflection and simplicity. Chris McCandless, a recent college graduate, takes a cross-country trip with the intentions of living in an unpopulated Alaskan territory.

He begins his adventure with only a ten-pound bag of rice and some simple provisions. Burning the cash in his pocket, ditching his car and leaving behind his parents and sister, Chris meets people who help him search out his destination. It is from these accounts and the piecing together of the journal entries that we can relive the final two years of Chris' life leading to the discovery of his body in an abandoned bus in the wilds of Alaska. Filled with stories highlighting the similarities between the author's life, other adventure seekers and Chris' journey we can try to determine what would tempt a young man with a promising future to leave all he knows behind for the uncertainty of the wild. Into the Wild is a truly powerful book that will leave you thinking of your own idle dreams and whether or not they are worth the journey.


Review By Erin Gurry
Rating: 4 out of 5